Abu dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department has concluded the Child Digital Safety Forum, held under the theme ‘Towards a Safe and Sustainable Digital Environment for Future Generations’, with discussions focusing on institutional and societal approaches to protecting children online.
According to Emirates News Agency, the forum highlighted efforts to strengthen coordination among institutions and raise public awareness of newly introduced legislation, as the UAE’s Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2025 on Child Digital Safety enters into force.
The second day of the forum, with sessions moderated by Counsellor Hassan Al Hammadi, Director of the Prosecution Administration in Abu Dhabi, took place via the virtual platform of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Academy. The sessions examined child safety risks in the digital space, the roles of government entities and social media platforms, and relevant legal and regulatory frameworks.
Dr. Mohammed Al Kuwaiti, Head of the Cybersecurity Council of the UAE Government, addressed prominent cyber challenges targeting children in his presentation ‘Cybersecurity in the Digital Environment and Its Role in Child Protection’. He emphasised the importance of an integrated preventive system based on modern technologies, supportive legislation, and institutional coordination among competent authorities.
Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Vice Chairperson of the National Human Rights Institution, reviewed the human rights framework of the law and its alignment with international conventions. She stated it aims to balance child protection with safeguarding children’s rights in the digital environment.
The forum sessions also addressed the responsibilities of digital platforms. Dr. Ahmed Abdel Zaher, Legal Adviser at the Technical Office of the Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, noted that legal frameworks regulate platform operations and set mechanisms for compliance with national legislation, including technical tools designed to protect children.
Dr. Mahmoud Muslim, journalist and member of the Egyptian Senate, called for a shift from restriction-based policies to approaches that build digital awareness and resilience among children and families, stressing the role of education and media in supporting this transition.
Colleen O’Toole, a former appellate judge and prosecutor in Ashtabula County, Ohio, discussed legal accountability for artificial intelligence platforms in cases involving crimes against children. She highlighted mechanisms to enforce obligations and strengthen child protection amid rapid technological change.
In the closing session, Dr. Sami Al Toukhy, Director of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Academy, underscored the need to advance the concept of ‘digital judicial sovereignty’ to address cross-border cybercrime. He stated that the new law sets clear obligations for digital platforms and reinforces the UAE’s position as a leader in child digital safety.